Month: March 2017

April is the month of love! We have a Full Moon in Libra (ruled by Venus) and a New Moon in Taurus (again, ruled by Venus). Moreover, Venus will turn direct on April 15th, giving us the green light for romance, relationships, money, personal values, beauty.

During the past six weeks, Venus asked us to have an honest look at our relationships, our possessions, our values, and check to see if they are still relevant. We are now ready to move forward in closer alignment with our true values. Venus turns direct close to Chiron at 26° Pisces, opening us to the healing power of love.

Four planets change direction in April, increasing their influence few days before and after their station:

Saturn turns retrograde on April 6th at 27° Sagittarius

Mercury turns retrograde on April 9th at 4° Taurus

Venus turns direct on April 15th at 26° Pisces

Pluto turns retrograde on April 20th at 19° Capricorn

With four planets changing direction, April will be a very intense month and we will experience everything to the fullest.

Let’s look at the major aspects

April 2nd Venus (Retrograde) will move back into Pisces – time to dive in again into the deep waters of our soul.

April 6th Saturn turns retrograde at 27° Sagittarius. Time to learn the gift of patience, discipline and endurance. Even if our progress towards our goals can slow down now, the few months of Saturnian introspection will serve us well in the future.

April 7th Sun is opposite Jupiter triggering the Jupiter Pluto square. This is a very intense transit which can lead to power trips – moderation is required.

April 8th Venus is square Saturn and Sun is square Pluto. These rather challenging squares will “push our buttons” and ask us to make decisions about our relationships or about our personal values. Pluto wants us to face the truth, and deal with it.

April 9th Mercury starts its retrograde cycle at 4° Taurus. Mercury will station and turn direct on May 3rd. Mercury will be very close to Uranus during the last week of April and the first two weeks of May. This long transit favors innovative thinking and expressive communication. If you have planets around 25° Uranus you can have various breakthroughs during this period.

April 10th The Full Moon at 21° Libra will conjunct Jupiter and activate the Jupiter Pluto square. This is a highly eventful Full Moon. The Full Moon ruler, Venus is closely conjunct Chiron – we are asked again to open our hearts and be honest with ourselves. Jupiter and Pluto will tolerate no half measures.

April 13th Sun is conjunct Uranus at 24° Aries asking us to rebel and stand up for ourselves.

April 15th Venus turns direct , inviting us to complete our period of introspection and open our hearts to embrace the outside world again, guided by the lessons we have learned over the past six weeks.

April 19th Sun enters Taurus and in the same day Sun conjuncts Mercury . Mercury will start a new cycle at 0° Taurus, which is a very potent degree. The next 3 months Mercury cycle will teach us to focus our mind and be resilient against distractions.

April 20th Pluto turns retrograde. Take time to reflect on the Jupiter Pluto square and its lessons.

April 21st Mars enters Gemini and Venus squares Saturn again. By now, we should be totally ready for the change. The 3 Venus Saturn squares have been tough, but now we are stronger and wiser.

April 26th New Moon at 6° Taurus is rather unaspected. Venus, the New Moon ruler is still in a conjunction to Chiron, but is also applying a sextile to her lover Mars. Our heart should be healed by now. Time to start again as Venus enters Aries, the sign of new beginnings, immediately after the New Moon.

April 28th Venus is back in Aries and Mercury retrograde is conjunct Uranus. Time for passionate discussions and unexpected turns of events.

April 30th Saturn is square Chiron. This is the second of three Saturn–Chiron squares, representing society’s limiting belief system in conflict with the healing possibilities of Chiron. If we want to move to the next level we need to transcend the status quo. We are being invited to take a close look at own judgments and biases. You cannot heal the world, unless you heal yourself.

Venus will conjunct the Sun on March 25 at 4° Aries, marking the beginning of a new Venus cycle. A Venus cycle is about new beginnings in love, beauty, money, and personal values.

What is a Venus cycle? Just like the Moon, Venus also goes through different phases, depending on her relative position to the Sun.

A conjunction of Venus to the Sun -when Venus is retrograde, is called an inferior conjunction and it is the equivalent of a New Moon. But if a Moon cycle lasts for 29 days, a Venus cycle lasts 18 months, and a complete cycle (a series of 5 Venus cycles) lasts 8 years. Eight years ago, in March 2009, Venus and the Sun united at 7° Aries. What happened to you then?

The pattern of Venus around the Earth draws a 5-petalled rose in the sky, as viewed from the Earth. Every 8 years, when the Earth and Venus “kiss”’ to form another petal, Venus comes back to the same position in the sky. The patterns of Venus are extremely beautiful – the heart and the rose, revealing one more time what Venus stands fore: pure beauty and love.

This particular Venus cycle starts in Aries, the first sign of the zodiac, so expect a lot of new beginnings in love.

Christian Schloe “Set your heart free”

Aries, or “The Fool” as depicted in the Major Arcana in the Tarot, represents the unlimited potential of life. His journey is unknown but he embraces it with innocence. Every day is an adventure and each moment is lived to the fullest.

Venus, starting a new cycle in the first decan of Aries represents the innocence and the purity of our heart. We are now ready to leave the past behind, and start over with a newfound confidence that will manifest over the next 8 years.

This transit of Venus reminds me of David Bowie’s song “Absolute beginners”:

“I’ve nothing much to offer

There’s nothing much to take

I’m an absolute beginner

I absolutely love you

If our love song

Could fly over mountains

Could laugh at the ocean

It’s absolutely true”

I “absolutely love” this aspect and I believe it is by far one of the most important aspects of the year. Not only Venus starts a new cycle, but the conjunction takes place just after the Equinox and just before the first New Moon of the astrological year (2 days later, on March 27th).

We have so much fresh energy in the skies that is impossible to stay still, we MUST go and pursue our heart’s desire.

Spiritually, this is the point at which we experience a metaphysical rebirth of the heart. All new phases (New Moon, new Venus) are “dark” because the planets are not visible in the night sky. The depth of the night, just like the depth of the sleep, is the best time to connect deeply with the essence of the planet.

Venus will be invisible in the sky until March 29th so in the coming days take the time to reflect what “Venus” means to you. What role does love play in your life? What about beauty? Personal values? What about money and resources?

In the next three weeks (until Venus turns direct) dare to ask yourself the right questions and ponder what really matters to you. More clarity about what this new cycle is about will come after the New Moon on March 27th and two days later on March 29th when Venus will start to rise again, now as a morning star.

Venus’ direct station on April 15this a good time to take action on whatever has been the outcome of your reflection.

January 9th 2018 will mark the half-way point of Venus’ cycle, when Venus – now direct – will conjoin the Sun at 19° in Capricorn. This is just like a “Full Moon phase” of Venus – a culmination of what you started on March 25th.

The theme of this new Venus cycle is Passionate Love. Passion for your lover, for your career, for what you like, for who you are. It is a time to get in touch with yourself and literally go to the heart of the matter. Now is the time to tell the world “this is what I want, this is what makes me happy” and then go and get it.

Venus in Aries is in mutual reception with Mars in Taurus which means that the two lovers get the best out of each other. No more settling for what others expect out of you. No more waiting. You will all feel an urge, an “all or nothing” desire to honor your heart and let your true self emerge.

Marked by the new Venus cycle, 2017 will be the YEAR OF LOVE. Those of us with planets or angles around 4° in Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn) will especially be blessed with love this year. For all of us this new solar cycle will bring something new in your life: romance, relationships, beauty, money and possessions, values.

Anything is possible now: a new love, a new source of income – let the door open and Venus will shower you with her gifts.

Sun Conjunct Chiron – the Deeper Meaning of This Aspect

Often called “the wounded healer”, Chiron expresses itself at its fullest when linked to the Sun. The Sun is our individuality, what makes us unique, what separates us from the others.

Sun conjunct Chiron stands for authenticity, for the utmost expression of our uniqueness. Because the Sun when touched by Chiron cannot hide his wound, this process – if handled well – ultimately leads to undying beauty and authenticity.

The process of learning about your true self, the process of becoming what you are meant to be, cannot be an easy one. Hence the wound.

Let’s take the example of pearls. Do you know how they are made? A parasite tries to work its way into the oyster. As a defense mechanism, a fluid is used to stop the intruder. Layer upon layer of coating is deposited, until a lustrous pearl is formed.

The process takes years. For years and years, the mussel has to fight an endangering force. And after years of struggling, something amazingly beautiful emerges.

So many times we fail to see that it is our shadow, our “handicap”, that is the keeper of our greatest power. But for this, you must find the strength to open the wound and pull out the core of the pain that is buried inside. You need to bring the pain out!

The path to self-mastery is about recognizing our inner pain and bringing it to the “next level”. Chiron triggers our deepest wounds and pains. But it is through our pain, that we have the opportunity to hold a larger perspective.

Chiron – the Link Between Heaven and Hell, the Conscious and the Unconscious

Ultimately, Chiron’s purpose is to restore wholeness – that’s why Chiron is the symbol of the shaman. Sun conjunct Chiron will re-actualize all the Chironic themes in your life, asking you to (re)connect with the inner shaman inside.

The shaman’s role is to travel to hell, to heaven, and then back to earth.

In the same way, in his orbit, Chiron is the connecting link between the conscious archetypes represented by the planets visible to the naked eye (all planets up to Saturn), and the unconscious aspects represented by Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.

Chiron orbits between Saturn and Uranus and brings together these two worlds, connecting us with the universe.

Chiron and the Mythological Horse

Mythologically, Chiron is half horse, half human – a force of nature who has transcended his human limitations and brought his gifts to the Gods.

The horse represents the balance between the instinctive and tamed part of one’s personality. Horses represent our inner strength and driving force in life.

The horses have always played an important role all around the world. In ancient times, people used to be ritualistically buried with their horses.

The man and the horse, buried together. What a strong metaphor for Sun conjunct Chiron!

The culture of dual burials was so widespread across the world, from Scandinavia to China, that it can only be explained by an almost spiritual bond between these two entities – the human and the horse.

Chiron and Your Greatest Gift

I would like to tell you a story that beautifully describes what Sun conjunct Chiron stands for.

“Once upon a time there was a prince who wanted to stay forever young. Because no one in the court could help him figure out how, he made a decision to wander through the whole world to find that secret land where life was eternal.

The prince started to prepare for the journey. He went to his father’s stable to choose one fearless horse to help him in his initiatic journey. For days and nights, he tried to find the right horse… but, without exception, no horse was strong enough for such a demanding endeavor.

Finally, when the prince loses all hope, he sees a thin, sick looking, hungry horse, covered with sores. When he approaches it, the horse starts talking:

“If you want to fulfill your wish, you must ask your father for the sword, lance, bow, arrows, and garments he used to wear when he was young; AND you must take care of me and feed me with your own hands for six weeks and give me oats boiled in milk.”

So, the horse, the father’s clothes and prince’s desire to reach to “the other side” are the successful resources that bring eternal life.

The father’s clothes represent our genetic upbringing. We are who we are, with our unique genetic signature thanks to our parents. In astrology, Chiron is related to our genetic upbringing and DNA.

Feed the Hungry Horse

What about the hungry horse? The horse represents those resources we choose to cultivate, methodically, with faith, with perseverance, even when our progress is unnoticeable.

The man who takes care of the hungry horse and unleashes his greatness is a beautiful expression of Sun conjunct Chiron. The horse itself is Chiron.

The hungry horse may get overlooked, or even despised, but he is in your stable for a reason. He has survived time and hardship because he has something to offer, and he can offer something nobody else can, IF you take care of him.

The horse is a symbol for what you leave behind for eternity, your contribution to the world, your legacy.

The hungry horse is that skill, that gift that only you have. The hungry horse is your duty to bring this gift to the highest possible form of manifestation.

Like any great piece of art, your skills and attributes will outlive you, to feed many more generations to come.

Who Wants to Live Forever?

Let’s get back to the story.

“After a long trip, the prince finds what he is looking for, and reaches the land of eternal youth. Over there he marries a beautiful princess and lives a life of bliss.

He does not know how much time has passed, as he stays forever young. But one day he remembers his parents and the house where he grew up, and the longing for his family, for his roots, overwhelms him.

He decides to go back to see his parents and the people he grew up with one more time. On his way back home, he notices that everything has changed.

The forests have turned into cities and he could not recognize anything anymore. When he finally reaches the place where he grew up, he notices with sorrow that everything is now a ruin, and everyone in the court has been dead for a long time.

And then the horse tells him:

“I brought you here master, but I will now go back from where I came”.

The man decides to stay there and lets nature take its course. Mortality finally catches up with him and he dies”

What does the fairy tale tell us? It was only the horse who had a chance to live forever. No human being is immortal, and sooner or later we will all turn to dust, but our gifts to the world will always stay.

Sun conjunct Chiron asks you to pay attention to the wounded, hungry horses.

They might be hard to notice somewhere in the corner of your stable full of beautiful and healthy horses.

Take care of them and feed them with your “own hand” because it is only through them that you have the chance of eternal life.

This is the first Full Moon after the February eclipse season, and it will bring the much needed clarity on the new cycle that is about to emerge.

The Virgo Full Moon is a cleansing Full Moon and will ask us to get rid of all the debrief we accumulated during the current Sun cycle, in order to prepare us for the New Sun Cycle starting on the 20th of March.

The Full Moon in Virgo is opposite Chiron and Mercury (which are both conjunct Sun in Pisces). The Full Moon also squares Saturn in Sagittarius and trines Pluto in Capricorn.

Communication can be hurtful now – as we know, Full Moons like to “expose” the truth, and this time is no exception. This Chironic Full Moon wants to have everything said and done, even if it hurts. Chiron conjunct Mercury and Sun opposite the Moon invite us to confront, and then simply release and “forget” our would, our old self.

Shed your old skin and embrace the change.

Put off the “old you”, those thoughts and behaviors that are keeping you stuck in the past. Let go of the self-defeating, limiting and unproductive beliefs and behaviors.

This Full Moon is on the Virgo Pisces, the axis of transformation. A true transformation always has an element of surprise. We do not know what the “next level” is. When we know exactly what the next phase of our life is about we don’t need a transformation in the first place.

Transformation happens in that space between having the courage to let go of the old and the curiosity to embrace the new. The key word here is curiosity. We don’t know what the future holds, and we will never do. Only when we accept this, we achieve freedom from the past.

References to transformation come also from the Native American tradition. The indigenous people used to call the Full Moon of March the Worm Moon, because earthworms start to surface at this time of the year, signaling the start of Spring.

The Full Moon also makes a positive aspect, a trine Pluto, reminding you of your inner power. No matter what happens, you DO have what it takes to push though it and make it to the next level. Have faith in what the universe is trying to tell you.

The Sabian symbol of this Full Moon (23° Virgo) is Chironic as well: “A lion tamer displays his skill and character” – symbolizing the need to tame one’s physical, emotional and spiritual energies in order to fulfill one’s destiny. Just like a shaman, a tamer has been to heaven, has been to hell and is now able to understand and handle all the energies of the universe.

The Full Moon in Virgo is the perfect time to rejuvenate , to (re)commit to those things which feed your body and your spirit, and to make routines to nurture your health and your soul.

Virgo is the cleanser of the zodiac, inviting us to clean our sacred spaces.

“Today I begin a new life. Today I shed my old skin which hath, too long, suffered the bruises of failure and the wounds of mediocrity. Today I am born anew and my birthplace is a vineyard where there is fruit for all” – Og Mandino

Take care of yourself during this Full Moon. If you are held back by a lack of self-belief:

Accept your mistakes with self-compassion

Remember that a challenge is not about what you are doing wrong. A challenge is only there to help you become your future, better self

Even if you dream of a better tomorrow, learn to accept and even love your past. Only when you manage to love your past, that part of you that still bleeds, you are ready to love your future

Be authentic – this is when opportunities will open to you and you will be able to recognize them

Do things that you’re good at

Be of service to others (but only after you’ve taken care of yourself)

Why is the Spring Equinox the Start of a New Astrological year?

The Spring Equinox is the time when the Sun enters the first sign of the zodiac, Aries. This event marks a change of seasons as well as the start of the Astrological New Year.

In fact in many cultures The Spring Equinox is celebrated as the start of a new year. Spring is the time of year when the cycle of life, death, and rebirth is complete.

As plants bloom and new life returns, the theme of resurrection is ever present.

For example, the Christian tradition of Easter is celebrated soon after the Sun moves into Aries.

Equinox literally means “equal night.” At the Spring Equinox, day and night are the same length.

And although most of us have already written our New Year’s Resolutions early January, NOW is the best time to start something new.

Start Something New at the Spring Equinox

Aries (the first sign of the zodiac) definitely has the power to lead the way and is a powerful manifestor. That’s why Aries season is the best time for new beginnings, for expressing oneself and making bold moves.

Don’t throw away your resolutions. You wrote them just after the Winter Solstice, another important astrological date.

If the Winter Solstice (the period just after Christmas and beginning of January) is the best time to conceptualize things and aim high (like a Capricorn would do), the Spring Equinox and the start of a new Sun cycle is the best time to make these goals tangible and put them into action.

So if you haven’t done much about your New Year’s resolutions until now, no worries! The Spring Equinox is the time to bring them to the next level!

Let’s take some examples…

If early January you set the goal to find a new partner, the Spring Equinox is about starting dating

Did you set a goal to increase your income this year back in December? Now is the time to decide what are you going to do about it: ask for a raise, get another job or become self-employed

If your goal was to learn a new language, now is the time to enroll to a language class or download a language app and start practicing

The Importance of the Spring Equinox Across Cultures

The Sun’s journey throughout the course of the year signifies an universal journey, undertaken by people throughout the world, and throughout time.

If we look at history we find many examples about how important the Spring Equinox was in the ancient world.

Did you know that the Great Sphinx of Egypt and many other sites around the world were positioned facing the Rising Sun at the Spring Equinox?

These sites used to be power spots, meant to attune to the eternal, everflowing energy of the universe.

Ancient Celtic and Mediterranean people celebrated the Spring Equinox as a sacred marriage between God and Goddess, yin and yang, day and night.

Equinoxes – Perfect Equilibrium

The reason why the Equinoxes are so powerful is that they are the only times of the year when the day is equal to the night, no matter where you are on Earth.

No matter where you are, you experience the exact same amount of light and darkness. The Sun and the Moon share the sky as equals.

And it is only when the day and the night are equal, when the sacred feminine and sacred masculine are in perfect balance, that life can emerge.

It’s this perfect equilibrium that allows the universe to manifest itself.

Make an Intention

Take your time now and put your attention on what you want to create. Take advantage of this natural life force that arises with the Spring Equinox and the start of the New Astrological Year. This is a chance to manifest your soul’s desires.

Your intentions are like seeds that if planted in fertile soil and taken care of, will grow over the next season, to bloom at the time of the Summer Solstice in June.

The harvest of the fruit will come at the Autumn Equinox in September when you will get the chance to ponder over what you’ve done – and reap what you’ve sown.

And later in the dark of the winter months, you can finally take the time to reflect on what is really important for you and prepare yourself again for the Spring.

Spring Equinox – Things To Do

Light red candles and speak aloud your intentions for the Astrological New Year

Do a brain dump: get all your goals and TO DOs out of your mind and onto paper

Prioritize: What is your Number 1 goal for this year? What action do you need to take NOW to get it started?

Start something completely new. Aries is all about beginner’s mind so try something you never considered before

Enroll in a gym, take up a sport or find something to do with your body. Aries is a highly active sign dominated by Mars

Plan a date with your partner or with your new romantic interest

Gather with your close friends around a fire to share stories, music and dance. Dance around the bonfire. Do a ritual to celebrate the symbolic rebirth of the world around you

Venus goes retrograde on March 4th at 13° Aries. You have 6 weeks to review, revisit, re-evaluate your love life, your relationships with the close ones, your relationship with money, and in general your relationships with attachments of any sort. Venus will turn direct on April 15th 2017.

Venus Retrograde is best known for bringing back into our life past lovers, unfinished businesses or repeating patterns in our relationships.

What does it mean “repeating patterns” in your relationships? For example, if you are the “giver” in relationships, Venus retrograde will make you see the reality for what it is. Maybe people take advantage of you for being nice. Venus retrograde will make this crystal clear to you. No more hiding and fooling yourself that these people you’re giving yourself to need you or love you. Venus retrograde wants you to reclaim your feminine power and become your true self.

You can only become that when you take your time and do an honest introspection. This is what Venus Retrograde can help you with.

Victor Nizovtsev

Venus and the Sun – A Unique Relationship

Venus spends less time retrograde than any other planet: only around 40 days in a 584 day synodic cycle.

During her synodic cycle, Venus is a morning star for 263 days, followed by about 50 days when she’s not visible at all (due to the proximity to the Sun) – to reappear again in the evening sky for another 283 days…and to disappear for the final 8 days before she starts all over again.

Because Venus’ synodic cycle corresponds to the Earth orbital period at a ratio of 5:8, the Venus cycle repeats 5 times over a period of 8 years. Eight years ago, in March 2009, Venus and the Sun united at 7° Aries. What happened to you then? Each inferior conjunction marks an 8-year anniversary of a previous Venus Retrograde, and is therefore a time to reflect on what happened in the past 8 years.

This applies to your own natal Sun and Venus relationship as well. This is why – once every 8 years – you will have both a solar return and a Venus return on approximately the same day (around your birthday).

The new synodic cycle starts on March 25th when Venus, three weeks in retrograde and exactly between the Earth and the Sun, applies an inferior conjunction to the Sun and a new cycle begins. Venus synodic cycle is the Venus correspondent of a New Moon and marks new beginning in the areas of love, relationships, money, personal values.

Venus Retrograde And Unfinished Businesses From The Past

Venus Retrograde is a highly introspective time. Venus Retrograde gives you the courage and clarity to revisit the past and complete any incompletions in your life, to finally allow them to be released from your psyche.

It can also manifest as someone coming back from your past, or even from a previous lifetime. The soul connections during Venus Retrograde are incredible magnetic and almost impossible to resist.

I’ve seen it over and over again in the charts of people who fell in love at the first sight with what they would call “ a twin flame” or started clandestine relationships with people who were dangerous, or not available. Even if they knew that the relationships started during Venus retrograde were no good, they could simply not resist the incredible Karmic pull.

Contrary to other astrologers, I do not advise to restrain from forming relationships during Venus Retrograde. What you should do instead is gain AWARENESS for what you’re experiencing and take responsibility for the consequences.

Existing relationships, if solid, can be strengthened during Venus Retrograde because of the potential to get to the heart of the matter. Because Venus Retrograde favors getting in touch with what you really want, finding true love becomes a real possibility now, even if this love is short lived.

During Venus Retrograde you can also finally achieve closure with your past. Some resolutions are necessary in order to move forward and open yourself up to the potential of something new.

When Venus is in the middle of the retrograde cycle and closest to the Earth, she ultimately gives us an opportunity to re-examine who we really are and discover what we hold most dear…as well as what we are used to cling to out of habit. Ask yourself: Is it worth it? If the answer is “no,” get ready to make some bold decisions. Venus will guide you in making the right decisions in order to honor your inner goddess and her needs.

Take advantage of the heightened awareness. Do not fear Venus Retrograde. The question here is: will you choose to view the retrograde as an unwelcomed intrusion to your regular routine, or will you choose to see it as an opportunity to gain perspective about who you are and what is important to you?

What comes, will go. What is found, will be lost again. But what you are is beyond coming and going and beyond description. You are It.~ Rumi

If you have planets between 26° Pisces and 13° Aries you will be especially in focus during this retrograde ESPECIALLY if those planets are Venus or Sun. If you are born around 25-27th of March or if your Venus is around 4° Aries then expect an amazing year ahead, full of opportunities in romance or new sources of income. This is because the new Venus synodic cycle commences on the 25th of March, just after the Equinox and just before the New Moon.

This is an amazing transit for all of us – no matter your placements, make sure you mark your calendar on the 25th of March.

Things to reflect upon during Venus retrograde:

How do you love and feel loved?

How do you let others in your life know that you love and appreciate them?

Where is your relationship heading? Are your relationships needs being met? If not, how can you honestly communicate with your partner to ensure you are both happy?

What do you appreciate, what makes you feel good? What clothes you like to wear, what do you like to taste, what do you like to smell? What do you like to have around you – material goods, people, friends?